DCU Rugby Club’s Grand ‘Splash’
6 April

The DCU Rugby Club created a Six Nations Grand 'Splash' in aid of St Michael's House, one of Ireland's largest providers of community-based services for people with an intellectual disability. The club hopes to make the St Michael's House Charity Day an annual event.

With the support of Leinster Rugby Members of the DCU Rugby Club they completed a 100 metre swimathon in St Michaels House swimming pool - the length of a Six Nations rugby pitch! On hand to lend his support was Leinster's Chris Keane as well as a large crowd of service users from St Michael's House who cheered the swimmers on.

The event raised in excess of €3,000 which will go towards St Michael's House swimming pool and fully wheelchair accessible leisure centre. It was just part of a St Michael's House Charity Day which included cycling, running and tug of war -all 100 metres - in keeping with the Six Nations theme! A number of service users from St Michael's House also took part in the day's events competing in running and 'leprechaun' rugby!

David Lynch, Treasurer, DCU Rugby Club commented: "We are delighted to take part in this event with St. Michael's house. In this present economic climate it is important to remember the fantastic work community based services like St. Michaels house provide and give whatever you can, be it through volunteering or fundraising. It is fantastic to see so many of the students and staff members of DCU Rugby club actively partaking in volunteer work"

Barbara Wiseman, Head of Fundraising, St Michael's House said "We greatly appreciate of the effort and organisation both the DCU and Leinster Rugby have invested in this event. The funds raised will go along way towards the improvement of our wheelchair accessible leisure centre, something which we see as vital for the physical development and enjoyment of St Michael's House users."

About St. Michael's House
St Michael's House is a community-based voluntary organisation. Founded by parents in 1955, the organisation has grown to become one of the largest providers of services to people with an intellectual disability in Ireland . Today St Michael's House provides a range of specialised services to over 1,450 children and adults with a learning disability and their families through 160 community based centres in the greater Dublin area. St Michael's House employs over 1,650 staff.